Monday, April 18, 2011

Updates

Hi guys! I kind of dropped off the face of the Earth for a week and a half due to finals, graduation, teaching, grading, and prepping for a recital. Crazy! I can't take a lot of time to post right now, but I wanted to give you all a quick update:

1. I ran a half marathon Saturday morning up in Salt Lake City, and it was INCREDIBLE. Not because I ran my fastest time ever, but because it was my first race since October and a couple weeks ago, I wasn't even sure I'd be able to do it! Not only did I finish, but I ran the whole way! I was planning on walking at least part of it, but I felt great, and remembered why I love running!

2. I am tracking Boston runners, following the Twitter updates, and keep refreshing my news page on Google. I'm cheering for my friend, Kim, this morning. She's running a sub-8 pace right now and I am so proud of her!! Her bib number is 16201 if you want to check on her!

Monday, April 4, 2011

Ode to Monday Morning Spin

Monday mornings put a smile on my face. Don't get me wrong: I dread Monday mornings as much as the next guy--maybe even more since I live in Utah where one day it's spring, and the next there is a foot of fresh snow on the ground. Boo. But, truth be told, I love my Monday morning spin class. I love it in spite of the cold and dark of a predawn morning, of the unavoidable scraping of the windshield, and of the inescapable nap that will be the only thing to get me through a "I-got-up-at-5 a.m." day.

Yes, it's a stalwart bunch that trickles in to the gym around 5:30 a.m. Monday mornings, blurry-eyed, bed-headed, and yawning (or maybe that's just me). We stumble in and take our place in what is perhaps the most stifling, poorly ventilated room on the planet, and proceed to subject ourselves to what seems like 45 minutes of straight sprints (seriously, Todd??). But really, although today was brutal, Todd (the instructor) is A.W.E.S.O.M.E. I've been going to his class for years (I actually can't even remember when I started going).

I have Erin to thank for my addiction to Monday morning spin. Erin and I went to school together (sort of...she was finishing her masters, and I was working/starting my master's program). She introduced me to Todd's class and every Monday morning she would faithfully save me a bike because I couldn't haul myself out of bed in time to get one for myself. Then, tragedy of tragedies, Erin became a contributing member of society, got a job in NYC, and moved. But Monday morning spin remained. The people in that class, including Todd and Erin, have made all the difference. We've shared our training wows and woes, successes and failures, and Todd's impeccable taste in music...(that's a little sarcasm there). It's become one of those constant things in life: Monday morning spin will always be there (as Erin learned this morning--she's visiting!). I hope you all have some awesome workout buddies (running, spinning, whatever) in your lives!

Erin and I outside the Mets' Stadium...ignore how pasty I am...it's totally normal, right?

Friday, April 1, 2011

Good Run

In keeping with the overall "goodness" of this week (see my previous post), I finally had a really good run yesterday! I ran 5 miles, I was able to push my pace a little bit in some sections, and it felt really, really good!

I'm typically a morning runner; I like to get up and make that the first part of my day. But yesterday was crazy (I got up super early thinking I was headed down to Moab to do some canyoneering, but ended up not going. Boo!) and so my run got pushed until the afternoon. By the afternoon though I was really struggling to find the motivation to head out for a run (despite the amazing weather we had yesterday!). I finally just made myself go, and I'm so glad I did!

My left knee and hamstring were feeling a little stiff and sore afterward, so I made sure to stretch out really well and then I headed straight home to ice myself. And lo and behold, no pain this morning! No soreness, no stiffness. Hooray! My left foot, however, is hurting. It was hurting all day yesterday while I was walking around. I think I did something during my Wednesday workout (I ran a quick warm-up mile, and then hit a spin class). It's in a weird spot, toward the back, almost on my heel, and it only hurts when I'm walking or standing, not when I'm running. I iced it too, for good measure, and kept it elevated. I think maybe I just bruised something? I just don't know how...

Today, I'm going to hit the elliptical (although I'm tempted to run again--it just felt so good!), and then to the weight room to get ripped!